A/N: This is the latest chapter. (Turn Right Into My Arms was just uploaded once I figured out it had gotten left out, so please go back and read it. Things might make more sense then.) Probably two more to go after it. Fitz and Mellie start looking towards the future and what it holds for them. Thanks for reading.
Song: Renegades by X Ambassadors
Disclaimer: I own nothing from ABC's Scandal or anyone/anything else.
Come July, we had come to the conclusion we would probably never go back to the governor's mansion. My father's death there was all we associated with it, and we didn't want to raise our child in a house with such a past. We got the utilities cut off and moved our things out, and were at our personal house for good. Jackson hated us being farther away, but was glad we were happy and finally settled again.
I got up around seven one Friday morning, needing to go do a few things at the office. I did not want to leave Mellie today. I wanted to just stay in bed with her all day, where no one could get to us, no cameras, and no reporters. My stump was starting to ache today, but it was healing well and Dr. Carroll told me I could be fitted for my prosthetic in August. I was finally walking with my walker and even with my crutches for short distances, but Mellie and Ben both insisted I take the wheelchair with me when I went somewhere.
I rubbed my wife's arm gently and she woke up with a groan.
"Ten more minutes," she begged, keeping her eyes closed, and I had to smile. She was so adorable when she woke up in the morning.
"I'm about to go to the office for a little while, ok? Go back to sleep, baby," I said, stroking her hair.
"Don't go," she said, pulling me beside her. She put my hand under hers and we felt the baby moving around. We had gotten into this routine most every morning now, and I would definitely miss it.
"Just stay here with me and the munchkin," she smiled, giving me a kiss. I wished I could. I loved our little times together like this, the time we spent fawning over our baby. "She was up all night long. Her sleep schedule is totally off," she told me.
"Well, she needs to be good and let you sleep so I can have you all to myself this weekend," I grinned. I swear she got more beautiful every day she was pregnant, and I loved it. She denied it and said it was disgusting how huge she was and how tired she felt. I paid no attention, because she was always gorgeous to me. She hated having to wear bigger shoes and get new bras. She hated the fact she had gained close to thirty pounds despite Dr. Ryde explaining that was normal. She told me her emotions were out of control, but I thought she was just fine. If she did get upset, I knew it was ok and I just tried to comfort her. The thing she did enjoy was cleaning the house and when our little girl moves around and makes her presence known. That was my favorite part too, but I wouldn't trade one bit of it.
"And what might you have planned for this weekend, Mr. Grant?" She teased, and I sat up with a sneaky grin.
"You'll have to find out, won't you?" I shot back, and she nudged my elbow.
"You're always so sneaky with your plans," she laughed. "As long as it's nothing involving a big crowd or some social event, I'm down for it."
"No social events, got it. You want to come in with me today?" I asked. "Ben said Capitol security is running a tight ship. No cameras on the premises, and they're not letting anyone on the property without clearance right now."
"I'll go, but you have to help me pick out something to wear," she smiled at me as I got up and grabbed my best jeans and white button down out of the closet and sat on the bed.
"Ok," I said happily, waiting on her to pull something out of the closet.
"I really like this shirt because it's cool and soft, but this dress is nice too," she said, holding up a white sleeveless shirt with lacy ruffles at the hem and a white and tan striped dress.
"Wear the shirt today and save the dress for tonight," I smirked, putting on my shirt. I didn't even get it buttoned before she came over and kissed me deeply, pushing me back farther on the bed. She sat on my lap and wrapped her legs around my waist as her hands explored my exposed torso. I continued kissing her, my hands exploring her body too, loving this moment together. We hadn't had sex in a while, but I was afraid of how it might go with only having one leg. I held her in place close to me, my hands resting on her hips, and she kissed my neck and pulled away.
"We can't be late," she smiled. "We can finish this later."
She got up and I watched her put on the nice shirt and dark blue jean shorts. She grabbed a pair of sandals out of the closet and caught me looking, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Take a picture next time, it'll last longer," she teased, going to put on some makeup and fix her hair.
I smiled and put on my shoe, and then I laid back on the soft bed. It hit me then for the first time.
I was going to be without this leg for the rest of my life.
I know I'll get a prosthetic, but it's not the same. It's not my real leg. It's not made of bone. I don't have feeling in it, I can't hurt it, it's just a piece of metal helping hold my body up.
Mellie came back out a few minutes later, ready to go, and I got up quick as I could. I grabbed my phone and left behind my badge and gun, as I had done recently since the surgery, and headed towards the front door to greet Ben, Jones, and Chris. They were waiting for us, and I offered them coffee as usual, and they declined.
I made it all the way to the truck on my crutches, an impressive feat, I thought, when Ben was about to get in the driver's seat.
"Hey, man, you think I could drive?" I asked, hopeful. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but apparently everyone else did.
"You sure you're ready to drive, baby?" Mellie asked me from the backseat, and I sighed quietly.
"If you think you're ready," Ben said, handing me the keys. I smiled and got in the driver's seat, and Ben put my crutches in the back with my walker. He got in the passenger seat and radioed to the others in the SUV we were ready to go.
Driving was awesome. I felt like I had freedom again, that this one little piece of life from before my surgery was still the same. I could still go where I wanted, and nothing was going to stop me.
After a nice dinner and a long while of Mellie pushing me around the streets of Dallas as we window shopped, we were exhausted. Few people paid attention to us, thank God, and the guys were close by the whole time. We went home, changed into our pajamas, and got in the warm bed.
The room felt different to me that night; it was more welcoming, more relaxing. The moonlight spilled in and gave it a nice glow, and the bed was especially comfortable. We did nothing more than lie there and snuggle for probably an hour or two, just talking. She felt perfect in my arms as I rubbed her hands and rested my head on top of hers. I knew I needed to talk to her about the future, and I was afraid of what she would say.
"So I've been thinking lately," I said with a long sigh. "About being governor."
"What about it?" She asked, closing her eyes, getting more tired.
"I'm not sure it's right for me anymore," I explained. "At first, I really wanted to make a change, and I've done that. But then everything with the rape and Jerry dying and my leg and soon our daughter has come up...and I'm not sure I can handle taking care of you, our daughter, myself, and be governor. I don't have enough time."
"Like I said before, we can get someone to help out around the house. You'll be better in a few months, and I'll be able to help more once the baby is born. This is all only temporary," she told me.
"Rape, a leg, and a baby aren't necessarily temporary," I laughed. "I don't know. I'm just so confused."
"I know, baby. It'll work out. I promise. Just think it over some more, pray about it, and then we can decide," she told me, kissing my cheek before burying her face into my chest again, getting comfortable. And I wasn't about to bother her if she could get comfortable and sleep some. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, hoping for an answer soon.